The Wonder Of P.V.F.C.: Port Vale Vs Crewe Alex Tuesday 6th November 2007

First game in charge tonight for Lee Sinnott, and what better way to start a new era than with a derby match against Crewe Alex. More important than the result was the performance for Sinnott. If at least the team was to look like they could play together then then his job would be made a lot easier, and after how badly the team performed against Huddersfield on Saturday, then a win would be the icing on the cake. Well at least half of what he wanted was here to be seen. The result went against the Vale, but the performance would of given Lee Sinnott a lot of positives to look at. Vale dominated the match from the start and only folded when Crewe scored form their only dangerous strike on goal in the game, but the overall performance would of given the team and the fans a lot to be happier about.

In his first line up as manager Sinnott brought back Pilkington to the back four, with McGregor switching to right back, as Miller fell to illness before the game. He also brought back in Jason Talbot and Robin Hulbert, who replaced Edwards and Harsley respectively.

Vale started the much more determined of the two sides tonight, and looked more like a play-off contender than a relegation threatened team. Will Atkinson was causing Crewe problems and in the ninth minute he created space for a Pilkington header that forded a save from Williams. Vale were pushing on to the Crewe back line, and most of the play in the first half hour had Crewe pinned in their own half. Rodgers looked like it was only a matter of time before he scored past his former club, and the Crewe fans giving him stick every time he touched the ball seemed to fire the little guy into wanted to score even more. Will Atkinson continued to cause problems down the wing, and his balls into the box were putting Alex under pressure, with Rodgers forcing Williams into two fine saves.

In a rare move into the Vale half Crewe almost snatched a goal when Simon Church fired a shot which was well saved by Anyon. Hulbert was also making his presence felt on the match, as a series of strong but fair challenges on the Crewe midfield helped keep Vale on the attack as the half wore on. Crewe needed to stop the pressure, and mainly from the threat posed by Atkinson. Not renowned as as a battling side the challenge by Woodards on Atkinson left the Vale winger struggling to carry on but went unpunished by the referee, much to the annoyance of the Vale fans who were screaming for a red card.

The rash challenge seemed to knock the wind from the sails from Vale, and as the half drew to a close it was Crewe who seemed that they had built up more of a momentum, with Cox and Moore both being denied by fine saves from Anyon. After the first half, Sinnott would of been happy with his teams performance, but the finishing would have to improve in the second half to put away the chances they were creating.

Half Time Score Port Vale 0 - 0 Crewe Alex

After the challenge on Atkinson left him unable to continue for the second half, Harsley replaced him. Vale once again started they stronger of the two sides. McGoldrick was denied by a late challenge from Baudet inside the six yard box. As the home fans got behind the team Vale again went close. Harlsey played a great ball through to Rodgers who lined up a shot aimed at the top corner, bringing a fine fingertip save from Williams to deny him a goal against his former club.

Vale were forced into a change on 61 minutes when Westwood, who picked up a hamstring strain, was replaced by Keith Lowe. Vale upped the tempo again and Hulbert fired just wide with a good effort, followed by another close effort from Rocastle forcing a save from Williams in the Crewe goal. But the pressure Vale were putting onto the Crewe goal was not being turned into goals, and frustration was creeping into the home side. Sensing this Crewe mounted an attack which produced the sucker punch snatch and grab goal from the game. Rocastle lost the ball to Roberts in the middle and he ran on to find Moore in space down the right. The striker fired a ball across the Vale goal and the defence failed to clear the ball, which was buried into the net by Elliott Bennett on 76 minutes.

Vale could of pulled one back almost immediately when Harsley crossed in towards McGoldrick. He met the ball and fired in a low shot which flew past Williams but hit the post. The ball fired out and was met by Rocastle, but his shot from 20 yards out flew over the crossbar.
Vale did try to rally on in the last ten minutes, and Sinnott brought on Tudor for Talbot to try and create a more attacking approach for the Vale. As the winger brought fresh legs to the game he fired in a couple of great crosses met by McGoldrick and Rocastle, but both their efforts went wide of the goal. As the board went up to show four minutes of injury time Vale pushed on again and another fine save from Williams after a Rodgers effort almost levelled things for the Vale, but Crewe defended well and the game ended with a win for Crewe, but the home side would of been much happier with the performance, and it would only be a matter of time before things on the pitch turned into results going in their favour.

In his first post match interview, Lee Sinnott was disappointed by the result, but the positives he could take from the performance would of pleased him. He said " There were many good things to take from the game, but the priority was the result. Sometimes you don't get what you deserve from football matches. I thought the reaction from players to supporters and vice versa was superb, and we will need more of that.
There is a long way to go in this season, and I have to get that into the players minds. There is a fine line between success and failure and I think this season has proved that so far, but we need to change that. I would of been more worried tonight if my defence had been cut to ribbons or the keeper had been overworked and we hadn't created any chances, but apart from the score it was a good all round display. I feel that after the game we can see that we are able to progress, which will hopefully lead to success. "

Final Score Port Vale 0 - 1 Crewe Alex

Port Vale Line Up